shep. and I started going to the Blind Tiger in Greensboro for Holy Ghost Tent Revival, and we kept going for — well, for Holy Ghost and the New Familiars. We made a single ill-advised trip there for another band, but like I said: it was ill-advised. So mostly, we’ve gone to the Blind Tiger to see two of our favorite live bands. Repeatedly.

The Blind Tiger is moving at the end of the month; from its comfortable neighborhood bar spot on Walker Avenue (the first time we tried to find it, when we turned into a residential neighborhood, “Are we going to a show in somebody’s HOUSE?” was really uttered) to … uh, I’m not sure. Somewhere else in Greensboro! After August 31! I’m totally helpful, aren’t I? I figure they’ll update their website eventually.

But my point is: the Blind Tiger has been a venue where we got to watch some of favorite bands grow up. They book a lot of jam bands and a lot of tribute bands, but we’ve also gotten to see Holy Ghost play to houses so full you couldn’t move, the New Familiars stop sets to break up fights, both of them blow the doors off the place multiple times. Startling covers and heartbreaking versions of familiar songs. It’s a place where I’ve got a lot of good memories — I’m glad we made the first trip (American Aquarium opened for Holy Ghost, Ryan made me watch the merch table, and shep. had to save Whit from a cougar), and I’m glad we kept going back.

It was only appropriate that we said good-bye with a New Familiars show, a scorching hour and a half (first) set (they were going to play a second set, but we had to go to bed), and I walked out happy and content. I’m going to miss the pot-holed parking lot where I clipped Azula’s front bumper a million times, and the occasionally sketchy and always, uh, interesting Greensboro clientele, and their cheap beer and, well. The Blind Tiger.